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‘Ah, yes. I heard the rumour that you used to live here, Ava. You’re returning home, permanently, we hope.’
Ava didn’t fill the silence that swelled around them.
‘What are you interested in, Ava? We have many committees in town and we always need help. Now, what’s the date, Peter? It’s mid-January, isn’t it? School is resuming soon, we have a wonderful local school, Bellethorpe Primary, do you have children?’
‘Um, yes, a son, he’ll be starting the year there in prep.’
‘Wonderful. They always need help in the tuckshop and changing school readers in the library and with their fundraising. Oh, and then of course, how could I forget, the Summer Festival is coming up soon. It’s to mark the end of summer and is a lovely community event. That’s what Bec and I are discussing today but, would you agree, Bec, most of the work is done?’ Jacqueline flapped one hand. ‘Doesn’t matter. I’m sure we can find something for you to do.’
Ava’s head was spinning. Jacqueline was too much. Thankfully, the mayor’s mobile phone rang and she was called away. Ava stared at her former best friend. It had been gut-wrenching to leave all those years ago, and even though they’d kept in touch with letters for a while, their contact had dwindled away. Now, a life later, how could she possibly ever tell her friend where she’d been, what had happened to her?
‘Honestly, it’s great to see you. Such a surprise! We’ll have to catch up for a cuppa.’ The words sounded false even to Ava.
Bec nodded. ‘I’d like that.’
Jacqueline called for her and she waved away.
Peter had stood there silent during the exchange. She hadn’t finished her chat but the moment was gone. It was obvious Peter was lost again. ‘Thank you for the coffee. I’m going to buy these items for my son. Could you help me with the plane hanging from the ceiling?’
Whilst she’d enjoyed meeting Sheila and Peter and had loved hearing the history of her house and the town, Ava’s heart felt heavy leaving the store. Nothing was ever simple, was it? She only wanted decor for Ish’s room, not to make friends or connections. And in-store, her past and present had collided and she was torn between her deepest desire to form roots here in this town and make this place their home, and of the need to escape her past. This knife edge she balanced upon was slippery. As uncomfortable as it was, distance was key.
Spotting old vintage teacups on her way out, she thought of her Egyptian mugs which obviously appeared silly to other people. But there was a time when she thought she’d be just like those powerful leaders. Strong. Do important things. As a teenager and when she was friends with Bec, everything had seemed possible and she’d had no doubt she’d grow to be a tough woman like them. She was a strong woman, until she wasn’t. Her greatest regret was becoming someone she wasn’t. Of allowing her dreams to be trodden on, for her life to become unimportant and stand in the shadows of a man. Even worse, to be controlled. How could she have let that happen? Out of everything that had occurred, in that she was the most disappointed. She’d let herself down and now she had to remember exactly who she was and what she stood for. One thing was certain, she wouldn’t ever let anyone else dictate the terms of her life again.
Putting on a brave face with a wide smile, she waved at Jacqueline and Bec who sat in a comfy sofa in the quiet front corner of the store. She had a sense well-meaning Jacqueline Kennedy might best be a force avoided, unless of course one required her help. That woman was canny and Ava wanted to keep her secrets, and she feared under the mayor’s scrutiny, Ava might just crack.
And Bec, well, her heart fissured a bit more. She missed having a female friend, missed Jamila; a confidant to spend time with, to laugh and share small anecdotes. Seeing Bec reminded her of all that was lost. But she couldn’t make friends. Couldn’t get close to anyone. She’d been a fool to think she could slip into Bellethorpe and blend in and people would leave her alone. She had to make it work though, their lives depended on it.
Chapter Ten
Noah pulled up at Ava’s gate. It wasn’t locked this time, but he dialled her number anyway. Rather than letting the Bluetooth play through the car speakers, he retrieved the phone and held it to his ear as it rang.
‘Ava, hi, how are you? Sorry, I’m a bit late today. I have Emily for a few days. Is it okay if she tags along with me? She won’t be a bother, I promise.’ He held his breath.
‘Okay, great, thank you. We’re at the gate, see you in thirty seconds.’ He rang off, his relief enormous.
Noah had come straight from collecting Emily that morning and couldn’t bear to be parted from her. It was his first visit in a few weeks, and the feelings at seeing her again were raw. The warm and fuzzy emotion after she ran into his arms and they’d enjoyed a squishy cuddle lingered. His heart had melted with her cheeky grin. In that moment, Noah understood that any pain he suffered in negotiations with Lisa were worth it. Nothing could beat the feeling of being with his daughter.
Up at the house, Ava met them on the back deck. He carried Emily’s backpack, a bag of food, toys and two coffees.
‘Here, let me help. Honestly, you don’t need to bring me coffee every day, but,’ she held up her hand, ‘I do love it.’
Her radiant smile sent his pulses racing and his body temperature rose. With a free hand, he puffed out his shirt to create some air.
Had they become friends without him noticing? Noah swallowed. Or more? Their chats bordered on flirting and he had to confess, he quite liked it. But today, perhaps with Emily here, the intimacy of it caught him off guard. His eyes lowered and caught a glimpse of Ava’s lean legs in tight leggings that left nothing to the imagination and her tumbling, sleek dark hair that always looked like she’d just left a hair salon. Even in her house gear, she appeared glamorous. She was a natural beauty. He didn’t think he’d seen her wearing make-up yet, but her skin always glowed. While she seemed to have lost her city-clean appearance, she was always immaculately presented. Poised was a good word to describe Ava Montgomery.
And damn attractive, but he tried not to focus on that.
She sipped her coffee and he swallowed again as he watched her rose bud lips open… Oh, boy.
Ava clutched the cup in her long and lean fingers and he imagined them trailing down the bare skin of his back. Her head tilted in question. Oh, yes, waited for his reply. ‘It’s no trouble,’ his voice came out croaky and he cleared his throat, ‘Plus, today I wanted to get some treats for the kids.’
Emily, dressed in very practical tee and shorts, tugged on his arm. ‘And this is Emily.’ It was ridiculous, but his chest puffed out a little. Finally, he could introduce his little girl to Ava.
‘Hello, Emily. I’m Ava.’ At that exact moment, Duke screeched past the glass door, sliding in his socks. Ava called out and introduced him.
‘That’s a funny name!’ Emily laughed.
The boy turned his face up to his mother, gauging her reaction.
